Game 5: Patriots 31, Broncos 21

Defensive end Rob Ninkovich and the Patriots took down old rival Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 31-21, on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots improved to 3-2.
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AP

Sunday's game was the 13th time Peyton Manning and Tom Brady faced each other as starting quarterbacks.
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AP

Patriots running back Stevan Ridley stretched for the end zone on a third-quarter run. After a review, Ridley's touchdown was upheld and the Patriots took a 31-7 lead over the Broncos in their game Sunday as Gillette Stadium.
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Getty Images

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was initially denied on a plunge toward the goal line, but he got in on his second effort and gave the Patriots a 24-7 lead.
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AP

Running back Shane Vereen gave the Patriots a 14-7 lead in the second quarter on a 1-yard run.
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Reuters

Quarterback Tom Brady connected with receiver Wes Welker for the game's first touchdown, an 8-yard strike in the first quarter that gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead.
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AP

The Broncos tied the score at 7-7 when tight end Joel Dreessen caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning in the second quarter.
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AP

Running back Stevan Ridley carried 13 times for 70 yards in the first half.
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AP

Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo (bottom) and defensive end Rob Ninkovich sacked Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the first quarter.
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AP

Patriots running back Stevan Ridley had more than 100 yards by the end of the third quarter.
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AP

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning didn't hesitate to take off and run with the ball. Manning sprinted 10 yards for a first down on Denver's first possession.
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Reuters

Tom Brady got a pass away despite pressure from Broncos nose tackle Mitch Unrein in the first quarter.
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AP

Linebacker Jerod Mayo, the Patriots' leading tackler, brought down tight end Jacob Tamme after a catch in the first quarter.
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AP

Quarterback Peyton Manning returned for his first game against the Patriots since 2010 when he was with the Colts. He spent a year away while recovering from a neck injury, and then joined the Broncos as a free agent.
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AP

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady faced old nemesis Peyton Manning for the 13th time, but it was the first time Manning was in a uniform other than the Colts'.
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AP

Before the Patriots faced the Broncos on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, the communication device in a Patriots helmet was checked by a staff member.
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FOXBORO, MA—OCTOBER 7: John Elway of the Denver Broncos reacts before a game with the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 7, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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AP

Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones, who was named the defensive rookie of the month for September, warmed up prior to kickoff.
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